New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-09
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE SHAME OF BROOKLYN.
CRIME STALKS ABROAD IN THE CITY OF
CHURCHES.
HOW CORRUPTION HAS rHRIvEN UNDER THE RUIZ
OF AN IRRESPONSIBLE AUrOcRAT-GRAvE :,
CHARGES TO BE INVESTIGATED.

HOW CORRUPTION HAS rHRIyEN UNDER THE RUIZ
of AN IRRESPONSIBLE AUTOCRAT-GRAvE p,
CHARGES TO BE INVESTIGATOR.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,
ALBANY. Feb. s.-Ihe grave prescntment made
by the Grand Jury of Kings County lately against
the departments Of the government Of Brooklyn.
accusing the men in charge of some Of them
OF corrupt practices, was the subject of dramatic
debate in the A-Sembly this afternoon. 1t had
been suspected that there would be an investiga-
tion made by the Legislature into the truth oe
the charges. Much incredulity was ct first ex.
pressed that there was foundation for them, but
1t was remembered that Mayor Whitney had been
under obligation to Hugh Mclaughlin, the Demo-
cratic "boss' for his election, and it was inferred
that In paying these political debts men unworthy
OF Office had received appointments OF an nau-
ential nature, and thus corruption had crept into
The government. The efforts to suppress gambling
on the race tracks at Concy Island last summer
IL was remembered, had not been successful and
the Democratic District-AttOrney who had failed
In his apparent attempt to enforce the laws against
gambling had been reelected. 1t should bs
stated here that District-Attorney Ridgway Of
Brooklyn appeared before Governor Hill last Sat-
urday and asked that the charges be dismissed
that we're made against him by Anthony, Com
stock to the effect that his prosecution of tho
u
Mr.. Comstock appeared at the samc
time and insisted upon the Governor passing some
Judgment on the charges. Assemblyman Bacon.
of Brooklyn, resolved to press the accusations oD
the Grand jury in the Legislature. Last night he
presented resolutions empowering Speaker Hustled
10 appoint committee Of five Assembymen "to
make an investigation into the administration an
every department. civil and criminal, of the gov
ernment of Brooklyn, and report whether early
and efficient legislation may be had to prevent tho
repetition of irregularities and punish crime.'
Mr.. Bccon called up this resolution to-day and
spoke in favor of its adoption. The Brooklyn and
New-YOrF Asscmblymen listened to him with pro-
found attention. Mr.. Bacon was frank where
moro cautious men would have veiled their
statements in misty language. Throughout his
speech there were constant alusions to Hugh Nc
Laushlin Although that gentleman was not
named everyone knew at whom Mr.. Bacon's arrows
were aimed. Mr.. McIaughns all-powerful in
fluence in the government of Brooklyn was
minutely described. lie was compared to Ma
p0leon, the C9slrs, and the Gar; but as q
monarch who while ruling had no responsibility.
Mayor Whitney was scarcely mentioned, as though
Mclaughlin and not he must be held responsible
for the misgovernment of Brooklyn. In opening
his speech Mr.. Bacon said that he was aware that
he was proposing an extreme remedy and that
such important action should not be taken
hastily; but where patient was seriously Ill
there consultation Of physicians and despcr-
ate measures taken to life. In tlis
case the city Of Brooklyn pershing from
disease; the government morally corrupt;
the Legislature alone could find the right remedy
for the malady. lie had received in the past
three days hundreds OF letters and kilograms ask
ing for an Investigation of the Grand Jurys
charges. Last night he received telegram
signed by five Of the most prominent clergymen
in Brooklyn asking for the investigation. These
clergymen were the Rev. Theodore l.. Cuyler tho
Rev. George +. Reed, the Rev. John llumstone, tho
Rev. Edward lngcrsOll and the Rev. Eugene
Behrends.
Although hundreds of gamblers had been in
dictcd continued Mr.. Bacon, il had been found
impossible DO convict and punish them. About
200 Cinnamon were arrested short time for
gambling but the proprietor of the place escaped
punishment. The Grand jury would have found
indictments against the present criminals il it had
not been for the influence of the District-Attorncy
who advised them against taking this course
The District-Mtorncy was the instrument of tho
mysterious parsonage who ruled Brooklyn. Mr..
Bacon said that it sarcasm TO call Brooklyn
City of Churches. There were. indeed, many
churches, but their spires cast their shadows on
wicked city government. Brooklyn was tho
paradise of gamblers and the home of the saloon
All the officers of the government were at tho
command of man more autOcatic than tic Car
of Russia. The CHEF work of the Common Council
was to make offices for this mans relatives and
friends They were all given large salaries.
Referring TO the impOssbity Of securing tho
punishment of criminal oiiceholders in Brooklyn
Mr. Henry said: You misht as well try to
invcsti ate hell by the devil himself as TO IN
>estigatc Brooklyn Departments with Brooklyn
officials. The fact is that at the present ume
these men fear the LEGISLATURE more than they do
the Almighty
Asscmbyman Longlcy DEM, of Brooklyn, DC
Tended the government of Brooklyn. first, how
ever, making an attack upon Mr.. Bacon. lie said
that he had supreme contempt for any man
who would utter such irresponsible, unmitisated
and unfounded ISLANDERS as we have been listening
to for half an hour
"1hC gentleman is unrarliamentary, inter-
ruptcd Speaker Hustled. "IIc must withdraw his
remarks.
''Well, withdraw my remark, said Mr. Long
lev and then proceeding with his speech hc
argued that no definite charges had been made
against the government OF BrOoklyn lie said
that the charges only preferred by portion
of the Grand jury. As for Hugh Mclaughlin
there was "no blot or blur on his escutcheOn.'
Brooklyn was proud Of the man. lie was In
corruptiblc. and everyone knew it. There was
no need of an investigation by the Legislature.
because Mayor Whitney of Brooklyn was going To
start such an inquiry. The charges that Mr.
Bacon had made false There was not
gambling house in Brooklyn.
"Uh, oh = said the Republican members. groan-
in together
"Wcll, there isn't said Mr.. LOngley. He
then ar.ued that il premature to pass tho
resolution.
Ex-SpealIer Erwin supported Mr. Bacon's resolu-
ton, but moved that the investigating should Do
made by the Committee on Ch'es MI Erwin
then moved the previous question to shut OLE
further debate The Democrats shouted gag